Manholes pose problem

By Genine Hopkins
Correspondent

City of Harrison Department of Public Works Superintendent Steve Phelps reported on the progress he’s made in obtaining bids to fix the issues caused by seven (7) manholes that are allowing infiltration of runoff from Little Long Lake. All manholes are located in a position that allows any mild flooding to seep in, causing the pumps to overwork, creating the potential for pump stations to become compromised.

“Of the seven manholes, three are allowing 70 to 80 percent of the infiltration and require immediate action to repair,” he told the Harrison City Council at their regular meeting on Monday, July 1, 2013, “R & A Environmental of Clare has bid $22,470 to repair all seven, and roughly half that just to repair the three worst. I suggest that since they will all cause problems, we approve a motion to repair all of them. The cost will only go up.”

Phelps informed the council that the worst three require one of the pumps at the station to kick on every five minutes. This wear and tear will cause pump failure, costing even more money.

A motion by Council member David Rowe, supported by Council member Don Kolander, was approved unanimously to pay for the full repair of all manholes.

Additionally, Phelps reported that the city has encountered several water service leaks that they’ve repaired and are working hard to get ready for the busy holiday week/weekend.

A motion by Council member Chris Damvelt, supported by Council member Kolander, also approved a groundwater discharge permit renewal application, to be prepared by the City Engineer at a cost of $5,000. That application will allow the sewer ponds to continue to operate.